Question for fathers - is one car enough?
Discussion
So a year ago Mrs Audiman and I traded both of our cars in for one bigger family car. In the past we both needed a car. We both needed one for work. Now I work from home 99.9% of the time, and my wife is a full time mum. Things are fine for now. Whilst I work, she goes out and about. When I finish work, I am the driver and we do everything together. Our two kids are pre-school age. Both went to the same nursery but one is starting primary school in Sept.
For those of you who are fathers - as the kids get older, is a one car family viable? Are there scenarios we haven’t foreseen that will require us both to have a car, even if my work never have me back at the office?
For those of you who are fathers - as the kids get older, is a one car family viable? Are there scenarios we haven’t foreseen that will require us both to have a car, even if my work never have me back at the office?
AudiMan9000 said:
So a year ago Mrs Audiman and I traded both of our cars in for one bigger family car. In the past we both needed a car. We both needed one for work. Now I work from home 99.9% of the time, and my wife is a full time mum. Things are fine for now. Whilst I work, she goes out and about. When I finish work, I am the driver and we do everything together. Our two kids are pre-school age. Both went to the same nursery but one is starting primary school in Sept.
For those of you who are fathers - as the kids get older, is a one car family viable? Are there scenarios we haven’t foreseen that will require us both to have a car, even if my work never have me back at the office?
On the 'need' front, totally dependent on circumstances. Ignoring work, scenarios it would cause us issues, two kids activities/clubs on the same evening? Mrs away at her parents for weekend in the car. Car in for a service on a school day etc... TBH as well, I'm too much of a car nerd to be satisfied with one family bus. I need a bit of variety and escapism. I appreciate that last one is a personal requirement. For those of you who are fathers - as the kids get older, is a one car family viable? Are there scenarios we haven’t foreseen that will require us both to have a car, even if my work never have me back at the office?
I’ve tried both scenarios I’ve the past 10yrs of having a family.
Always end up reverting back to 2 cars in the end. One just leads to arguments, public transport or reliance on lifts or borrowing cars. None of which works in the long run.
Just now I’ve got a good family car and a cheap yet reliable runaround. We find that most effective.
Biiiig 7 seater suv and a £1k fiesta.
Both cars between them do everything well. Whether that’s packing a fortnight worth of gear into the car and going on holiday or nipping to the shops, her work etc
Only complaint from her in charge is the lack of AC on the fiesta, which in my mind is just one thing less to break on the puddle jumper.
Always end up reverting back to 2 cars in the end. One just leads to arguments, public transport or reliance on lifts or borrowing cars. None of which works in the long run.
Just now I’ve got a good family car and a cheap yet reliable runaround. We find that most effective.
Biiiig 7 seater suv and a £1k fiesta.
Both cars between them do everything well. Whether that’s packing a fortnight worth of gear into the car and going on holiday or nipping to the shops, her work etc
Only complaint from her in charge is the lack of AC on the fiesta, which in my mind is just one thing less to break on the puddle jumper.
Krikkit said:
I'd definitely want two with multiple kids, they'll inevitably want to be in different places at the same time soon.
This. One kid, MAYBE you can manage it, as long as you're all happy doing everything together*. Two kids, once they're at school or are doing weekend activities (sports/swimming, play-dates, parties), has the potential to become a headache. And you'll find your spare time is precious enough that you won't want to lug both of you and an unwilling 'other child' along to these things.Plus what if one of you has to be away with work, or gets called to visit family urgently, or any one of half a dozen 'ooh, I need a car quick' scenarios.
Edit: Been reflecting...our kids are 10 and 4, and with me now WFH / taking the train, the times that we're both using a car are about at most once a week, typically where the kids have clashes, where one of us wants to be doing something on our own, or where for time convenience we try and do two things at once (e.g. one of us shopping, the other taking kid(s) out somewhere).
I get the cost aspect, but buy sensibly (i.e. with regard to what will be reliable and will sell easily / with minimal depreciation) and it won't be that bad. Plus the second car can be...ah...a little less practical!
* I couldn't...love my family dearly but need time away from them at least once a week.
Edited by havoc on Monday 1st August 21:43
Two cars for us used to be a necessity, post covid it's a convenience.
I WFH the majority of the time now, my wife goes into work more. She's drops the kids off at school, I pick them up, I start and finish earlier than her which allows us to do this.
If we had one car, I'd either have to drop the kids off and then her, or just the kids and she uses public transport. She doesn't work too far from where we live. Maybe a 20-25 min walk so I could walk and get the car then get the kids in theory.
First World problems, my mother didn't learn to drive until later in life, with 3 kids we used to get the bus, family friends who could drive would help.
In your situation you'd be ok. With the direction the cost of living is going in I'd maybe rethink trying to go down to one car.
I WFH the majority of the time now, my wife goes into work more. She's drops the kids off at school, I pick them up, I start and finish earlier than her which allows us to do this.
If we had one car, I'd either have to drop the kids off and then her, or just the kids and she uses public transport. She doesn't work too far from where we live. Maybe a 20-25 min walk so I could walk and get the car then get the kids in theory.
First World problems, my mother didn't learn to drive until later in life, with 3 kids we used to get the bus, family friends who could drive would help.
In your situation you'd be ok. With the direction the cost of living is going in I'd maybe rethink trying to go down to one car.
We’ve got a Passat estate for family duties. Then I got my 996 thinking that’d be fine if 2 cars needed. MrsG drove it a couple of times then declared it wasn’t for her, so now we have an electric Renault Zoe as well. The lease on the Zoe and electricity for it is cheaper than fueling the Porsche, but less fun.
2nd family car normally needed if one of us is away with the big car, doing different weekend activities etc.
2nd family car normally needed if one of us is away with the big car, doing different weekend activities etc.
We have just the one 6 year old. Mostly we could manage with one car but there's one day a week where I'm out all day in my car and our son has an after school activity that requires driving to. But in all honesty I like having two cars. You have the perfect opportunity for one family car and something else a bit more joyful. Even if you go for a 2 seater you'd be fine as whoever needs space for 3 uses the family motor. You could probably argue the case for two cars quite successfully with your OH too.
3 kids and a dog, both of us work from home predominantly but attend the office one day a week, usually on differing days. We have 1 car that is for family duty, a VW Taigo and I've got a new Cayman S coming and that'll do nicely, my only concern is when I have to leave her indoors with the Porsche.
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